Born on [[October 9]], 1945 in New York City to Evans and Helena Liolin, he was given the name Nicholas. Nicholas was raised in a family that was very active in the American Albanian Archdiocese. His father served as lay chairman of the Diocesan Theological Student Fund. His mother had served as choir director at St. Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, New York. He had four brothers: John, who served on the parish council of St. George Church in Trumbull, Connecticut; James, who served as lay chairman of the Jamaica Estates church; Fr. Arthur who is Chancellor of the Albanian Archdiocese; and Billy who gave his life serving in the armed forces during the Korean War.

+

Born on [[October 9]], 1945, in New York City to Evans and Helena Liolin, he was given the name Nicholas. Nicholas was raised in a family that was very active in the American Albanian Archdiocese. His father served as lay chairman of the Diocesan Theological Student Fund. His mother had served as choir director at St. Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, New York. He had four brothers: John, who served on the parish council of St. George Church in Trumbull, Connecticut; James, who served as lay chairman of the Jamaica Estates church; Fr. Arthur who is [[Chancellor]] of the Albanian Archdiocese; and Billy who gave his life serving in the armed forces during the Korean War.

Nicholas received his pre-collegiate education in New York City, where he developed an interest in theater arts and biological sciences. He was [[tonsure]]d a [[reader]] by Metropolitan [[Theophan (Noli) of Durres|Theophan (Noli) of Durres]]. He continued his studies at Iona and Concordia College in New Rochelle, New York, [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary]] in Crestwood, New York, and at the New School for Social Research and Political Science in New York, City.

Nicholas received his pre-collegiate education in New York City, where he developed an interest in theater arts and biological sciences. He was [[tonsure]]d a [[reader]] by Metropolitan [[Theophan (Noli) of Durres|Theophan (Noli) of Durres]]. He continued his studies at Iona and Concordia College in New Rochelle, New York, [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary]] in Crestwood, New York, and at the New School for Social Research and Political Science in New York, City.

−

In 1967, he married Sarah Arthur. On [[July 5]],1969, he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]] by Bishop Stephen (Lasko). On the following day Fr. Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the [[priest]]hood. During the following years, and with the assistance by his wife as choir director, Fr. Nicholas served at the parishes of St. Nicholas in Southbridge, Massachusetts and St. Thomas in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He became well known for his pastoral acumen and ministerial sensitivity. Fr. Nicholas took part in many activities including television and radio broadcasts, evangelizing the Orthodox Christian faith. He was also project coordinator for New England's Russian Orthodox Layman's League's ''The Voice of Orthodoxy'' broadcasts. On [[July 25]], 2000, Sarah his companion and wife of 33 years died, losing her battle with cancer.

+

In 1967, he married Sarah Arthur. On [[July 5]], 1969, he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]] by Bishop [[Stephen (Lasko) of Boston|Stephen (Lasko)]]. On the following day Fr. Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the [[priest]]hood. During the following years, and with the assistance by his wife as choir director, Fr. Nicholas served at the parishes of St. Nicholas in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and St. Thomas in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He became well known for his pastoral acumen and ministerial sensitivity. Fr. Nicholas took part in many activities including television and radio broadcasts, evangelizing the Orthodox Christian faith. He was also project coordinator for New England's Russian Orthodox Layman's League's ''The Voice of Orthodoxy'' broadcasts. On [[July 25]], 2000, Sarah his companion and wife of 33 years died, losing her battle with cancer.

−

After his wife's death, Fr. Nicholas continued his studies at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St Tikhon's Seminary]]. While at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon's monastery]] he received a [[monasticism|monastic]] tonsure with the name of Nikon. On [[May 25]],2002, Fr. Nikon was consecrated Bishop of Baltimore and Auxiliary to [[Theodosius (Lazor) of Washington|Metr. Theodosius]], the primate of the [[OCA]].

+

After his wife's death, Fr. Nicholas continued his studies at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St Tikhon's Seminary]]. While at [[St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)|St. Tikhon's monastery]] he received a [[monasticism|monastic]] tonsure with the name of Nikon. On [[May 25]], 2002, Fr. Nikon was consecrated Bishop of Baltimore and Auxiliary to [[Theodosius (Lazor) of Washington|Metr. Theodosius]], the primate of the [[OCA]].

+

+

At an assembly of the Albanian Archdiocese on [[October 10]], 2003, Bp. Nikon was nominated to fill the vacant position of Bishop of Boston. On [[October 22]], 2003, he was elected Bishop of Boston by the [[Holy Synod]] of the OCA. He was also appointed administrator of the Diocese of New England. In October 2005, Bishop Nikon was elected ruling bishop of the New England diocese after he had been nominated by a council of the New England diocese as their candidate for Bishop of New England. He was enthroned on [[December 17]], 2005, as Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese by Metropolitan [[Herman (Swaiko) of Washington and New York|Herman]] of the OCA.

−

At an assembly of the Albanian Archdiocese on [[October 10]], 2003, Bp. Nikon was nominated to fill the vacant position of Bishop of Boston. On [[October 22]], 2003, he was elected Bishop of Boston by the [[Holy Synod]] of the OCA. He was also appointed administrator of the Diocese of New England. In October 2005, Bishop Nikon was elected ruling bishop of the New England diocese after he had been nominated by a council of the New England diocese as their candidate for Bishop of New England. He was enthroned on [[December 17]], 2005 as Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese by [[Herman (Swaiko) of Washington and New York|Metr. Herman]], Metropolitan of the OCA.

Life

Born on October 9, 1945, in New York City to Evans and Helena Liolin, he was given the name Nicholas. Nicholas was raised in a family that was very active in the American Albanian Archdiocese. His father served as lay chairman of the Diocesan Theological Student Fund. His mother had served as choir director at St. Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, New York. He had four brothers: John, who served on the parish council of St. George Church in Trumbull, Connecticut; James, who served as lay chairman of the Jamaica Estates church; Fr. Arthur who is Chancellor of the Albanian Archdiocese; and Billy who gave his life serving in the armed forces during the Korean War.

Nicholas received his pre-collegiate education in New York City, where he developed an interest in theater arts and biological sciences. He was tonsured a reader by Metropolitan Theophan (Noli) of Durres. He continued his studies at Iona and Concordia College in New Rochelle, New York, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, and at the New School for Social Research and Political Science in New York, City.

In 1967, he married Sarah Arthur. On July 5, 1969, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Stephen (Lasko). On the following day Fr. Deacon Nicholas was ordained to the priesthood. During the following years, and with the assistance by his wife as choir director, Fr. Nicholas served at the parishes of St. Nicholas in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and St. Thomas in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He became well known for his pastoral acumen and ministerial sensitivity. Fr. Nicholas took part in many activities including television and radio broadcasts, evangelizing the Orthodox Christian faith. He was also project coordinator for New England's Russian Orthodox Layman's League's The Voice of Orthodoxy broadcasts. On July 25, 2000, Sarah his companion and wife of 33 years died, losing her battle with cancer.

At an assembly of the Albanian Archdiocese on October 10, 2003, Bp. Nikon was nominated to fill the vacant position of Bishop of Boston. On October 22, 2003, he was elected Bishop of Boston by the Holy Synod of the OCA. He was also appointed administrator of the Diocese of New England. In October 2005, Bishop Nikon was elected ruling bishop of the New England diocese after he had been nominated by a council of the New England diocese as their candidate for Bishop of New England. He was enthroned on December 17, 2005, as Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese by Metropolitan Herman of the OCA.